LAST DECEMBER KARL Lacey got the chance to immerse himself in a professional sporting environment.
Lacey is one of the leading Gaelic footballers in the game. Four Allstars are proof of his prowess and he was Footballer of the Year after Donegal’s season of glory in 2012.
He’s at the forefront of his sport but spending time with Arsenal, left him ‘amazed’ at where the GAA stands in its links with sports science.
The trip was part of Lacey’s studies in a Masters in Sports Performance at University of Limerick.
An avid Arsenal supporter, Lacey notably received a letter of congratulations from Arsene Wenger after Donegal lifted Sam Maguire in 2012.
“As a player you are always trying to find new ideas, new techniques to make yourself better,” outlined Lacey.
“Fascinating just to see (it). I went over there hoping that I could pick up a few tips.
I was actually amazed to see how far the GAA are in terms of sports science. They are well up there and well ahead of the game.
“From an Arsenal point of view they have more resources, players have more time on their hands to do things, more coaches, more facilities.
“But in terms of preparation, recovery, fitness levels, I think they are very much on par with Gaelic football and hurling.”
Lacey revealed the Irish link he pursued to securing the Arsenal placement.
“Desmond Ryan is head of the academy over there, so from U21 to nine year-old’s. He’s (from) Galway, he was with the IRFU, so I got in contact with him. He was happy for me to (come over).
“Jerry Flannery did the course I was doing, so he spent a year over there. He (Desmond) knew what was involved in the course, so he was happy to take me off the course and into Arsenal.”
Lacey completed his Masters in January with his focus now on Donegal’s upcoming championship campaign that starts with an Ulster opener against Tyrone on 17 May.
Mostly good news all round. There’ll always be a few niggles so it’ll be great to have more or less a full strength team to pick from come next weekend providing andy farrell lets the teams pick who they want.
Fancy a 23 to look something like
Killer
Scannell
Ryan
Snyman
Kleyn
O mahony
O donoghue
Stander
Murray
Hanrahan
Earls
De Allende
Farrell
Conway
Gallagher
Loughman
Marshall
Knox
Wycherley
O donnell
Casey
Scannell
Daly
@Jim Demps: Would prefer to see Knox in ahead of Ryan from the get go. Beirne and carbery then to come in for kleyn and hanrahan when they are fit.
Hopefully gallagher is the man to add a bit of spark to the fullback position.
@Jim Demps: that’s a strong team. I think the 2 centers are going to rip it up this season.
@Gareth Ward: both you and Jim’s sides are missing an openside. Cj has a very high tackle count as does JOD but both tackle close to the ruck. Neither really help the backline defence out wide.
Another problem without joey is a lack of creativity so smash it up the middle and boxkick will be game plan.
@Chris Mc: Im sure jod can move a few steps to the side. Plenty of turnover treat anyway if o’mahony, stander and beirne are all in the team
@Gareth Ward: turnovers has never been Munsters problem. I’m talking about helping the outside backs defend.
@Chris Mc: it’s grand, we’ll pick up whichever one of the Leinster 7s doesn’t make the big game squads at the end of the season.
For what it’s worth if Tommy can stay fit he’s as good as any of them. If though.
@Jim Demps: when fit Tommy is could but his ceiling is nowhere near Leavy’s
@Jim Demps: I was a big fan of TOD but he’s not really at the highest levels for a while. Hopefully the break will have done him good, recharge the batteries so to speak. Still I don’t think your getting any of leinsters backrows any time soon.
That’s a pity for Beirne but hopefully he’ll still be fit to feature before the end of the club season and for Ireland. He’d potentially be a big loss for Ireland with Ryan injured and would have been expected to see some decent gametime.
There’s a lot of guys on the Munster injury list which is odd considering there has been limited contact training.